Landlords are not allowed to tell their tenants how clean they want them to keep the place. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t communicate with their tenants in other ways. For example, they could provide a checklist of cleaning tasks they expect from them every week or month and make it clear that if they don’t complete the tasks on schedule, they will be subject to penalty payments. In most cases, a landlord won’t know how clean his/her tenants are until something goes wrong. The U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why: “Tenants who receive penalties for failing to maintain a certain standard of living must have proof that such standard was actually met.” If you live in a rental property and your landlord warns you not to clean the place because it’s dirty, you might wonder what proof he or she has that would support the warning. Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
Can a landlord tell you how clean to keep your house?
They can, but it’s not always easy to tell the difference between a clean and dirty house. And, depending on the situation, landlords may also have other concerns about your property. Some things that a landlord may be able to tell you about how clean your home includes whether there are any areas that need to be cleaned or not if there are any hazards or concerns with your property, and whether you have required repairs or updates carried out.
What Can A Landlord Tell Their Tenants?
- The Landlord Can Tell the Tenant to Clean
Landlords are NOT allowed to tell their tenants to clean. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t communicate with their tenants in other ways. For example, they could provide a checklist of cleaning tasks they expect from them every week or month and make it clear that if they don’t complete the tasks on schedule, they will be subject to penalty payments. In most cases, a landlord won’t know how clean his/her tenants are until something goes wrong. The U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why: “Tenants who receive penalties for failing to maintain a certain standard of living must have proof that such standard was actually met.” If you live in a rental property and your landlord warns you not to clean the place because it’s dirty, you might wonder what proof he or she has that would support the warning. Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
- The Landlord Can Tell You How Clean They Want You To Keep Your Home
Landlords are NOT allowed to tell their tenants how clean they want them to keep the place. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t communicate with their tenants in other ways. For example, they could provide a checklist of cleaning tasks they expect from them every week or month and make it clear that if they don’t complete the tasks on schedule, they will be subject to penalty payments. In most cases, a landlord won’t know how clean his/her tenants are until something goes wrong. The U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why: “Tenants who receive penalties for failing to maintain a certain standard of living must have proof that such standard was actually met.” If you live in a rental property and your landlord warns you not to clean the place because it’s dirty, you might wonder what proof he or she has that would support the warning. Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
- The Landlord Can Tell You What They Want You To Do To Clean Your Home
Landlords are NOT allowed to tell their tenants what they want them to do to clean their homes. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t communicate with their tenants in other ways. For example, they could provide a checklist of cleaning tasks they expect from them every week or month and make it clear that if they don’t complete the tasks on schedule, they will be subject to penalty payments. In most cases, a landlord won’t know how clean his/her tenants are until something goes wrong. The U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why: “Tenants who receive penalties for failing to maintain a certain standard of living must have proof that such standard was actually met.” If you live in a rental property and your landlord warns you not to clean the place because it’s dirty, you might wonder what proof he or she has that would support the warning. Keep reading for more information about white Determining Factor for When a Place Is Clean Enough Is the Landlord’s Opinion
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why a landlord’s opinion is not necessarily the deciding factor in determining whether or not a rental property is clean enough: “While it may be reasonable to expect that the landlord will have some knowledge about the condition of the rental unit, he or she is not required to make an independent judgment as to whether that standard of cleanliness has been met.” In other words, if your landlord says it’s clean enough, you’re allowed to take their word for it. However, if you don’t feel like your home is cleaned up properly and you want them to explain why they think it’s clean enough, you can ask them (you don’t need permission from them). Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
- The Determining Factor for When a Place Is Clean Enough Is What You Can See from Your Front Door
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why this is how a landlord should determine whether or not a rental property is clean enough: “The fact that the landlord can see something from his or her front door does not necessarily mean that it meets the standard of ‘cleanliness.’ For example, if there are cobwebs in the bathroom ceiling, there may be no reason to conclude that the unit is ‘clean enough.'” Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
- The Determining Factor for When a Place Is Clean Enough Is What You Can See from the Entrance
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) explains why this is how a landlord should determine whether or not a rental property is clean enough: “If the landlord can see something from his or her front door, it may be reasonable to conclude that the unit is ‘clean enough.'” Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
How to Tell if Your Place is Clean Enough?
- Find out what the landlord’s policy is when it comes to housekeeping standards.
- Make sure that there are no visible cobwebs in the bathroom ceiling.
- Look for dust on furniture and appliances and test the kitchen sink for cleanliness.
- Test the oven, stove, and refrigerator for cleanliness.
- Check windows, doors, and locks to see if they are free of dust or other evidence of dirtiness (such as scuff marks from being opened or closed). Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
What Happens To Landlords Who Don’t Comply With HUD Requirements?
- If a landlord fails to provide his tenants with written, clear, and understandable instructions on what their responsibilities are as well as what their rights are, HUD will take action against the landlord.
- If the landlord fails to provide his tenants with adequate cleaning supplies, such as cleaning agents, disinfectants, brooms, dust cloths, and mops, he may be in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
- If a landlord fails to maintain his rental unit in a reasonable state of cleanliness including informing his tenants of any necessary maintenance issues and how long it will take for these repairs to be completed (and if necessary providing them with an estimate), he may be violating the Fair Housing Act. Keep reading for more information about what landlords can and cannot do when communicating with their tenants about housekeeping standards.
Conclusion
Every tenant should be required to keep their rental property clean, but when a landlord uses their position as a landlord to impose mandate cleaners, it can lead to resentment and complaints from tenants. There are many ways that a landlord can communicate with a tenant about how clean the place should be. For example, a landlord could provide a checklist of cleaning tasks they expect from their tenant every week or month and make it clear that if they don’t complete the tasks on schedule, they will be subject to penalty payments.
